Rafael Nadal has confirmed his participation in the 2015 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, to be held at the prestigious Real Club Tenis Barcelona from 18 to 26 April. The current World No. 3 is the first player to announce that he will return to the Catalan capital for the clay-court classic next season.

“I am very happy to return to Barcelona to participate in the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, a very special tournament for me as it is held at my club, the Real Club Tenis Barcelona,” said Nadal, who will start preparing for the upcoming tennis season in the next days after he has fully recovery from an appendicitis surgery he underwent on 3 November.

Tournament director Albert Costa is excited about Nadal’s participation. “We are convinced that the news will make our faithful followers and tennis fans very happy, and at the same time we think that it is a guarantee for the success of our tournament,” said Costa.

It will be Nadal’s 11th participation in the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell since 2003. Record holder with eight titles in the Catalan capital, the Mallorcan will aim to lift his ninth crown after he lost to fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the 2013 quarter-finals.

Tickets for the 2015 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell are now on sale and can be purchased at the same price as last year through the tournament’s official website, www.barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com.